Which bottle did you just buy and why?

I just ordered a 3-bottle "bundle" from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society because;

1. I've never ordered one of their bundles before and all 3 of these bottles are exclusive to the U.S. chapter of the Society.

2. It was over 10% off the price of the bottles individually and

3. They were offering free shipping this week, so between #2 and #3, I saved about $100 USD.

4. My wife suggested that it could be my Christmas present from her. (In other words, I had her approval to order them.)

So what did I get?

Cask No. 96.34 "Stroll Through the Seasons" is an 11 year old Glendronach from a first-fill ex-bourbon barrel. 60.2% ABV.

Cask No. 30.108 "A Taste of Home" is a 12 year old Glenrothes from a refill sherry butt. 64.3% ABV.

Cask No. 29.281 "Driftwood Barbecue!" is a heavily peated 10 year old Laphroaig from a 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel. 60.8% ABV.

@bwmccoy Christmas is a ways off, so Maybe your good wife will have forgotten that this was your Christmas prezzie and treat you to another fine trio of malts.

The autumn madness continues. Stoked by my acquisition of 2 of the Milk and Honey Elements bottlings, I ventured to their website and was reminded of their Apex series. These are experimental bottlings at, I believe, CS. They have a cask that was matured 500 m below sea level at the Dead Sea. They have a cognac cask, several types of wine cask. And.... a Pomegranate wine cask. I was excited about this one and contacted the distillery some months ago to see if I could buy one for a relative to pick up and hold until my next trip in a few years time. I was told they were a US exclusive.

So I went on wine searcher and found a few for sale at what I thought was a reasonable price.

I contacted a friend in California who agreed to receive it. He has ties to Toronto and I expect he will come visit sooner or later.

That said, when he moved from Florida he left a few of my bottles with someone and I'm still waiting for those. So clearly I'm playing the long game here, but I really wanted to try that particular bottling.

@Nozinan In recent years we've seen this relatively new thing in whisky explode where any sort of limited or special release from a popular distillery is quickly snapped up on release by flippers. With the flippers then immediately selling them on for double the retail price or more on auction sites. Collectors with deep pockets who absolutely have to have that unicorn bottle will pay that price.

It was always happening to some extent but since lockdown it seems to have exploded. A combination of factors I'd say. Markets not doing fantastic meaning people are looking for alternate things to invest in. Covid lockdown meaning people can't go out or on holiday so have a bit more disposable income and also Freddie Furloughs at home with nothing better to do than scour the Internet all day looking for the latest release.

This has resulted in whiskies that were always a bit tricky to locate a bottle of becoming very difficult or very expensive to buy. Examples being Springbank Rum cask and Local Barley and Glenallachie cask strength.

What has started to happen recently is that distilleries have started to target those markets. Brown-Forman a couple of weeks ago brought out some special releases at crazy prices. Amongst them a Bunnahabhain and a Ledaig:

masterofmalt.com/whiskies/bunnahabhain/…

masterofmalt.com/whiskies/tobermory/…

Bare in mind that Ledaig do an 18 year old Sherry cask matured whisky that retails at less than £80. So £250 for a 22 year old Sherry matured Ledaig is a hell of a jump. Also a 10 year old Bunnahabhain for £120 is an insane price. Notice they both say 'limited edition' on the labels.

I can't find a link but just last week Glengoyne (not even that sought after a distillery) released a 13 year old limited edition for £170.

So what I think is happening is that the industry has looked at the crazy prices people are paying for sought after whiskies and engineering their releases to try to create whiskies that there is a clamour for. They're also pricing them in such a way that they sell directly to collectors at the prices flippers would have sold at. Effectively putting flippers out of business and making more profit themselves.

As a drinker these are bottles you give a wide berth too!

@Wierdo - yep! Just don't buy 'em. Although I must admit to finding what the retailers/distilleries are doing to deter flippers rather amusing. Shame it has to hurt those with less the most but such is the world these days.

On a tangent, does anyone watch the Walking Dead anymore? I've been catching up with the latest episodes recently and there was one where two guys find an old, rare and expensive whiskey (bourbon, I think?) in an abandoned warehouse years after the apocalypse. One of them knew how to appreciate it and showed the other. Anyways, made me smile wryly thinking how many such bottles might well end up with a similar fate (although probably not even appreciated) ...

@RianC @Wierdo

I don't deny that. The secondary market has become quite volatile.

The only time I ever speculated on whisky was during the battle of the "Glens". I knew nothing but when I saw the article that Glen Breton was being sued, I bought up a couple of each of their 2 expressions at the time figuring once they had to change their names these bottles would be collectibles. I was wrong.

I have accidentally come into some collectibles. Four Roses 125th, Macallan CS. But they were purchased for drinking and that is still my intent, someday.

The three Milk and Honey whiskies I ordered this week are not only meant for drinking but for sharing...

Talking of drinking and sharing here is my little stash of bottles from my recent trip to Islay.

The Glen Scotia Victoriana and Hazelburn 10 were purchased from the excellent shop Whisky West Coast in Tarbert run by a brilliant chap called James. He is a mine of whisky info and I will always stop here in the future and give him some custom.

The other bottles are Scarabus cask strength which is a mystery Islay malt at 57% and Laphroaig 12 2006 old malt cask, refill sherry butt 696 bottles for Ardnahoe Distillery shop Feis Isle 2018.

I also picked up a Jura 18 ' one for you ' 52.5% which is matured in a bourbon barrel and enhanced in a American white oak quarter cask. Didn't plan om getting any Jura but visited the distillery and this was the only non sherry matured bottle. Seems to get goodish reviews also which is good.

From the Islay whisky shop in Bowmore I picked up a private cask bottling of Bruichladdich 10 61.7% which was matured in a Syrah cask. A nice one this.

The three small bottles came from the wonderful Bunnahbhain distillery shop which gave us the same warm welcome as we received last time. They are all 20cl bottles at £35 each so not cheap but well worth it in my view. I picked up a 11 yr old Manzanilla cask 54.2% ( the last one I had was a fabulous dram ), a 16yr PX Noe cask 54.1% and a 7yr Canasta sherry Butt at 61%. As per last visit the best selection of warehouse offerings was at Bunnahabhain.

Given the issues around staff shortages at the moment some of the distilleries were difficult to access so we didn't even get into Bruichladdich as there was always a hell of a queue outside. Much as I love their whisky I draw the line at standing in the rain for an hour just to get in. There's always next time.

Similarly to previous visits the island and it's scenery and wildlife was spell binding and the proprietor of the Port Charlotte hotel insisted on taking a photo of me on my phone for posterity behind his bar in front of what he said was the only row of Islay only whisky optics in Scotland. Had to take his word for that! He had some lovely other drams there which I partook of. Mostly Port Charlotte's.

Already booked next year's visit.

The Milk and Honey collection continues to grow.

I was entering my recent purchases into my database (ok I am a nerd) and went to the websites to confirm information like ABV and volume (the bottles bought in Israel were 700 cc but in NA they are 750 cc so good I checked). I happened to notice that the Elements Sherry cask was now available at KWM, so now, having used another gift card, there will be three bottles delivered to my sister in law’s home next week, and with luck I will bring them home in December.

Which means I will be set for a really great tasting in January…. Anyone up for that?

@Timp Nice haul!

@Timp fantastic haul there!

Rumour has it that Scarabus is Lagavulin!

@Wierdo I’ve heard Scarabus is Caol Ila from many sources….but when I tasted it I was convinced it was a peated Bunnahabhain. Of course my track record with identifying whiskies in blind tastings is terrible so take my impressions with a grain of salt.

@Nozinan, those are very nice selections. I thoroughly enjoyed the group tasting of M&H products and look forward to more of the same...but different...in person would be marvelous.

@Timp, tell us again! That was a wonderful trip you shared with us, more please.

@Nozinan, you've made excellent choices with Four Roses Ltd. Ed. 125th Anniversary Barrel Proof and Macallan Cask Strength. A couple of my all-time favourites!

@OdysseusUnbound I love the Port Askaig 100 proof and it's almost certainly Caol Ila. A friendf bought the Scarabus batch strength and it was completely different. I thought the Scarabus was likely Lagavulin but you may be right about it being peated Bunna. I guess that's all part of the mystery. I definitely prefer the clean and mineral Port Askaig profile but they are all great buying for what you get.

Cheers @MRick @Wierdo @paddockjudge

Was trying to restrict my purchasing this year through lack of space in the car haha..

Interesting discussion about the scarabus @Wierdo @OdysseusUnbound @Hewie and tbh as soon as i tried it, it reminded me of a bottle of Finlaggan I had years ago. Weirdly although this to was reputed to be Lagavulin it seemd to be a world away from the 16 and the 12 and more recently the 8. These are the only Lags i have tried so a bit limited in my experience I suppose.

I also struggled to enjoy the Finlaggan at the time as it seemed to have a note in it I wasnt too sure about or keen on. I put this down to my lack of experince as the shop owner insisted it was Lag and at the time the 16 was one of my all time favourite drams. This note is very similar to one in the Scarabus although my tastes have changed so I don't find it so odd.

Will happily send out some samples if anyone fancies having a go at guessing. Let me know.

A distillery that did impress me though was Ardnahoe down near Bunnahabhain. When I went a few years ago the shop was very impressive which you would expect from a bottling company as they can fill it with their lines and they looked as though they were going to do a bottle your own option as well.

I really like this as it rewards the visitor, most of whom have travelled a long way to get to the island, with something fairly unique.

This time they had two barrels on the go as options, a mystery blend of Islay whiskys coming in I think at around £45 and a Jura matured in a wine barrel at £65. Now i didn't get any of these as i had already spent a few hundred pounds on Scarabus, Laphroaig and various things my wife wanted, but they were very good value and it was nice to see them making the effort.

They clearly realise the visitor experience is key to sales and the restaurant has stunning views across the sound of Jura, and outside the worm tubs are directly in view as you walk to the entrance from the car park. Behind these are huge windows into the still room with a spirit safe in front of more windows onto the sound. Its all very enticing before you even get into the place and get your wallet out.

A definite for future visits..

@Timp - What a haul and trip! I believe that's what's known as living the dream ha

The Lagavulin and Bruichladdich look particularly mouth watering but I bet you'll have a lot of fun going between the Bunna's too. Man, I really need to organise a holiday up there. I'm still to open my bottle of Victoriana but am looking forward to it.

Cheers Rian, yeah was a good trip. Will save you some for samples. Enjoying the Victoriana though. Nice dram and worth the money I think. Very nicely put together.

Got a hot tip on a 17yo George Dickel SB store pick for a mere $70USD. Grabbed one for me and one for a friend.

I think a middle school boy picked the picture and caption though.

@casualtorture 70 bucks for 15 yo Dickel? Wow! Congrats!

Last weekend was my brother-in-law's annual guys weekend. In preparation for that, I purchased a Glenmorangie 14 year The Quinta Ruban and an Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year. As you can see from the photo, the Quinta Ruban was very popular with my brother-in-law's friends.

@bwmccoy Your BOL needs a few more peat head friends.

@bwmccoy did you try the Glenmorangie? If so, what are you thoughts on it? Thinking of getting a bottle. Don't drink much Glenmorangie because most of the range are usually lower abv etc.

@Wierdo - Did the you ever try the older 12? I was impressed with it and 'the word' seems to be that the 14 is perhaps an improvement. I'd guess the explanation for the extra two years is that they needed to double the time in port casks as they were not as fresh as they once were - or am I being too cynical . I'd be keen on trying it myself.

Just bought two bottles of the new Laphroaig 10 sherry finish. Why? It caught my eye as soon as I saw it and, having had a look at various reviews today that ranged from positive to downright gushing, I'm fairly certain I'll like it. A good combo of peat and sweet is a rarity and one I definitely enjoy when done well. £62 though, which is a bit steep, but not quite at piss taking levels.

I bought two because I suspect the quality may dip in subsequent batches and, even if I'm not ultra keen, I'm sure I'll be able to do something with the second bottle.

@Wierdo and @RianC - This was the first time that I have tried the new 14 year version. My previous experience with non-14 year Quinta Ruban was very positive every time that I tasted it.

I did have some of the new 14 year last weekend on our guys weekend trip and again was very pleased. It lived up to my memory of when I'd had the previous Quinta Ruban. I wouldn't say that I thought it was "better" per se, rather it was still a quality dram.

I had a dram of it again last night in order to rate it and it didn't taste as good as it had the previous weekend. That may have been due to my palate being influenced by other things that I had eaten or drank previously, but the Caol Ila I had after it tasted fine, so who knows. I rated it an 88.

I hope that helps.

@RianC @Wierdo @bwmccoy

I've owned both, and tend to agree that the 14yo is a slight improvement. Both are enjoyable, and much better than the Lasanta in my opinion.

These arrived today. Say what you will about Mr Bezos' company but, man, they sure can get those parcels delivered in a hurry.

Even through the green glass, the colour looks very deep and rich. And I believe it's NCF and natural colour too!

Picked up the 2021 Laphroaig Càirdeas. PX cask and cask strength; 58.9 ABV. Can’t wait to try this one!